Memoir - Objective and Goals

     I think that I’m going to write my memoir about the first time I went to Cedar Point. My initial idea focused on the fear that I initially felt and then gradually how I began to enjoy it more and more throughout the day. But given the constraints of assignment I may focus on the fear aspect of it, but how I survived the experience. I may relate that to my choice to return to school to pursue a dream and how scary that can be.

     I really hope that my memoir can be relatable to people that read it and hopefully inspirational for them to realize that taking chances can be scary, but sometimes the experience and results can also be rewarding, fun, and enjoyable. I'm also looking forward to trying to see if I can effectively incorporate both the "narrative voice" and "reflective voice" that Marilyn Bousquin discussed in her audio call posted on the National Association of Memoir Writers site. Especially, after reading how Stephen King wove in stories from his life growing up in Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Maine and related that to examples of his experiences in writing. I thought his writing was compelling - even more so than his writing in his fiction novels.

     In thinking about the details of my memoir, I don’t think it’s important that I include details about the particular ride, the time of year, or even so much about who I was with. I think it will be more important to relate the experience and emotions that I felt along with the sounds of the chain as the coaster went up the hill. The anticipation and nervousness. The tension in my arms and the pounding in my chest. I think it will be important to paint the details of what was happening on the ride and within me to build up the fear and apprehension, but then show how it ultimately ended up being thrilling and exhilarating…much like taking a certain leap-of-faith in life.

Memoir Writing

I don't know that I've considered writing a memoir...I've always felt like one needed to do something important or experience something of great magnitude to warrant the writing of a memoir that someone (anyone) would want to spend time and money on. In listening to this week's resources, I think Marion Roach Smith had stated something to the effect of finding out what the "area of expertise" we have. For me it would include things like being a student, being a spouse, being a cook, having two dogs, being a product of divorce, having been divorced and re-married...

So in thinking about the things in my life that I am an expert on I've come up with the following potential ideas for writing a brief memoir from my life:

Idea one: When I was in the first grade I broke my wrist (the first of three times). I remember the pain when I fell on the ice and landed with my wrist underneath me. When I went to the doctor he set it, put some type of iodine/anti-bacterial lotion on it, and wrapped it in a soft, cotton gauze and then a cool, wet plaster that quickly hardened. At first it was pretty nice having the attention at school, but as time went on it became more and more frustrating. The itching. The confinement. I couldn’t wait to get it off. In fact, I had complain so much near the end that my dad cut if off. The relief was immediate, but it would only be four weeks later that I sprained the same wrist and needed to once again be confined in a brace to help it heal. I learned that not all attention is good attention…especially when it fades away and you’re stuck on the sidelines due to an injury.

Idea two: I am a second bachelor degree student who returned to school 20 years after receiving my first Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. During my career I worked a few different jobs in several business related fields. I desperately hated sitting behind a computer generating the same reports month after month. In 2016 I left the corporate world to pursue a new degree in creative writing with a focus on screenwriting. In each class I try to encourage young people to pursue their dreams and don’t do something to make someone else happy. I learned that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

Idea three: The first time I went to Cedar Point (when I was about 13 or 14) I was so scared. I went with my best friend. We started off on some of the smaller rides and I kept my eyes closed so tightly. I couldn't wait for each ride to come to an end. As the day wore on and my friend prodded me to go on more rides I ended up finding the thrill of the roller coaster to be extremely exhilarating. When it was time to head back home that evening I was disappointed. I couldn't wait to go back again and enjoy the experience/thrill of the ride. I had went from terrified to love in the course of a few hours. I think that I had learned that sometimes things that frighten us can open our eyes to new experiences that make us feel alive.